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The Niger State Government has imposed a curfew on communities in the Rafi Local Government Area following renewed clashes between Kamuku farmers and Fulani herders that have claimed about 80 lives.
Governor Umaru Bago announced the measure during a visit to Tashar Bako, a community affected by the violence.
Represented by his deputy, Yakubu Garba, the governor directed security agencies to deploy all available assets to the area and adopt both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to contain the crisis.
The conflict, which stemmed from a dispute over farmland, has displaced hundreds of residents. During the visit, the deputy governor visited Kamuku victims taking refuge at Tegina Primary School and Fulani victims sheltered at Gimi Primary School.
Bago has directed the Emir of Kagara, Ahmad Garba-Gunna, to form a Peace and Reconciliation Committee that will foster dialogue and lasting peace among the affected communities.
The governor asked social media users and influencers not to spread inflammatory or unverified information, which could worsen the security situation.
The state government would implement measures to prevent a recurrence of the crisis, he assured residents.
He said the two communities have lived together in harmony for generations and should not let the actions of a few individuals damage their long-standing relationship.
The Emir of Kagara commended the state government and security agencies for their swift response and cautioned politicians against politicising the incident.
The conflict, he said, was not on ethnic grounds between the Kamuku and Fulani communities.
He appealed to the security agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the violence.
